Gov. Alex Otti & Star Paper Mill, Aba 🇳🇬🏭 Governance Beyond Road Construction — A Giant Step

I saw a publication from the leadership of the Abriba community, led by their President-General, who paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.

During the visit, Governor Alex Otti informed them of what the Abia State Government did in taking over Star Paper Mill along Aba–Owerri Road from AMCON (Asset Management Company of Nigeria).

Apparently, Star Paper Mill was indebted to individuals and institutions to the tune of ₦2.5 billion, which Governor Alex Otti’s government paid, and then took possession of the company.

Star Paper Mill was established by Chief Nnanna Kalu, someone I knew when I lived in Aba. It was a very big company, employing several people directly and indirectly . They had distributors all over the country. They produced high-quality tissue paper and exercise books—two products in very high demand in a country like Nigeria of over 200 million people.

They also had a paper recycling mill at Owerrinta. When I visited it, it was a magnificent company. So I want to commend the Governor for playing that role.

Secondly, I heard him call on indigenes of Abia State to invest in the company and ensure that it is revived. This will bring manufacturing back to that axis, create jobs, and when profits are made, dividends will be shared among shareholders.

He also mentioned that the Chinese were pressuring him to take over the company, but he insisted that Abia indigenes should own it. That is a very brilliant idea.

Why couldn’t the children of the founder manage the company well?
Why couldn’t it be sustained?

I know energy became a major problem for factories in the East, especially with the increase in diesel prices and the decline of the Naira.

But from what I have seen over time, it is better to invite outsiders—people outside the immediate family—to become shareholders and help sustain a family business, rather than allowing the family to lose it entirely to outsiders who will eventually buy it cheaply.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this issue of sustainability of investments by indigenous Nigerians.

I want to recommend this same approach to the Governor of my state, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori.

We have so many defunct companies in Delta State:
Bendel Glass
Delta Boatyard
Asaba Textile Mill
AT&P, once the biggest plywood factory in West Africa

At one time, I even discussed with the Managing Director of Bendel Glass, who was also a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, on how the company could be reactivated.

One of the raw materials, sharp sand, is close by. Beta Glass is just across the road. There is also Delta Power Station nearby, sharing the same fence. Energy would not have been a problem. We have gas. Gas turbines could generate steady electricity to power the furnaces.

That company alone could employ thousands of people.

They could produce:
Sheet glass for windows
Reinforced glass for tables
Windscreens
Tempered glass
Bulletproof glass

I was a medical resident doctor at the International Glass Industry, Aba, so I know what I’m talking about. It is a very profitable business.

Your Excellency, Governor Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, this is something you can seriously look into.

We also had Forcados, which can be turned back into a tourist attraction . Forcados once had railway lines, a good hospital, and strong colonial buildings. If I am right, Forcados was once a capital of Nigeria. Reviving it would boost the economy significantly.

Government has no business running industries, but government can reactivate them, sell shares, recover investments, and create jobs.

Finally, I urge the Governor to look deeply into the energy sector. About two years ago, at a Progress Union Annual Conference, I presented a paper on industrialization in Urhobo Nation.

We flare enough gas at Oleh, Ughelli, Afiesere, and Kwale. This gas can be converted to generate thermal energy and electricity . These areas can become industrial parks—Ughelli axis, Kwale axis, and even riverine areas like Burutu.
In addition to roads and schools, industrial revival is the key to sustainable development.